The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has temporarily suspended a nationwide strike, pending ongoing talks with the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC). Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion yesterday said the strike, which was to start today, had been put on hold. However, he averred he would not hesitate to call an industrial action, between September 30 and October 5, should TSC fail to heed their demands.
Sossion assured teachers across the country that the consultations, to be carried out between September 30 and October 5, will determine whether the teachers will go on strike or not.
Speaking during the Masaba North Knut Branch Annual General Meeting in Nyamira County, Sossion said all the issues they had raised must be addressed. “Teachers were supposed to down their tools at the beginning of this term. However, we have decided to put the strike on hold until the end of September when we will be meeting with the Teachers Service Commission to iron out the contentious issues,” said Sossion. Among other things, Knut has opposed trainings that TSC wants teachers were to attend on weekends. Sossion said he had also spoken to Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed who agreed to have them suspended. Sossion said he will blow the whistle calling for the strike in October if TSC fails to address any of the issues they have raised.
